Clerk protects elderly woman from fraud

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) - Hampton Police say a bank teller’s suspicions helped keep an 82-year-old woman from becoming a victim of fraud.

Sgt. Jason Price with the Hampton Police Division said the victim was approached by two men inside the Farm Fresh located in the 2000 block of Coliseum Drive Tuesday around 2 p.m. The men claimed they were fundraising for a children’s charity and convinced the victim to drive them to a nearby bank.

When they arrived at the Wells Fargo close by, the victim was told to withdraw an undisclosed amount of money. Price said the teller became suspicious and began questioning the withdrawal. At that time, the men left the bank on foot.

The suspects are described as black males in their 50s wearing business attire. The suspects also had foreign accents, though the region is unknown.

Price said investigators were working to determine if the incident is linked to similar cases from June and offers the following advice on how to keep from being a victim:

• Don’t speak to unfamiliar people at length
• Verify all claims and charities before donating
• Reach out to friends or family members

Anyone with information is asked to call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or the Hampton Police Division at 757-727-6111.